Elite reconnaissance unit to bolster military deployment along southern border

Yoav Zitun|Published: 02.05.12 , 21:45

The Border Guard's special Mista'arvim Unit will join IDF
forces patrolling the Israel-
Egypt
border in the next few weeks, as mean of addressing the border's "blind spots" problem, Ynet learned Wednesday.

Egyptian smugglers had recently managed to breach the new security fence for the first time. The border sees constant attempts
by smugglers and terrorists alike to breach the fence.

Military sources told Ynet that 75% of the area's terror alerts emanate form the sector.

The Mista'arvim ("Arabized") is the nickname given to several counter-terrorism units across the Israel Defense Forces, whose members are specifically trained to assimilate among the Arab population.

The Border Guard's elite unit will deploy along the southern section of the border in an effort to thwart future infiltration attempts, in places where IDF surveillance is plagued by blind spots.

The IDF has also re-formed the Rimon Unit, which will patrol the northern part of the border.

Defense sources told Ynet that the IDF believes Gaza-based terror groups are constantly watching the IDF's operations in the area and have various "shelved" attacks, which they are waiting to execute.

Military sources added that Egyptian smuggling rings are also closely monitoring the progress of the new border fence project, as they fear the improved security measures will spell a financial blow for them.

"The new fence will dramatically decrease the scope of criminal activity in the area," a security source said.

So far, 143 kilometers out of the planned 220km of the new border have been completed. The project, dubbed "Hourglass," has been deemed the IDF's second most important priority.